Wild acquires veteran forward Marcus Johansson from Capitals

The Washington Capitals continue to sell out ahead of Friday’s trading deadline, sending forward Marcus Johansson to the Minnesota Wild for a 2024 third-round draft pick on Tuesday.

Johansson has 13 goals and 28 points in 60 games with Washington this season. Going in a solid two-way, Johansson is expected to take on a midfield role in the last six at the Wild. He previously played with the organization during the COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 campaign, where Johansson scored six goals and 14 points in 36 games.

While Johansson’s production has fallen from his peak, he must add the scoring depth Minnesota lacked all year. The Wild — who sit in third place in the Central Division — were looking for a boost in that area ahead of a potential postseason run.

Johansson, 32, will be an unfettered free agent at the end of this season.

Washington drafted Johansson in the first round (24th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and he spent seven seasons there from 2010-17 before the Capitals moved him to New Jersey. Johansson made stops from there at Boston, Buffalo, Minnesota and Seattle before Washington bought him back at the 2022 trade deadline.

Capitals are in a different situation in March. The 2018 Stanley Cup champ took three points from game two for the Eastern Conference’s wild card playoff, and GM Brian McClellan began moving the veteran chops to stock more draft picks and prospects. Washington previously traded defender Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway to Boston last week, and others in the organization have attracted interest in the market as well.

The trade deadline is 3 pm on Friday.